Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Hello loves. Thank you for all of your good wishes and kind words this past week. As you have probably heard Hurricane Sandy caused a tremendous damage here and really disrupted everything. The neighborhood where J & I live got hit very hard and were temporarily homeless with no electricity, heat, water, phones or means of communication.

We evacuated our apartment on Wednesday, a few days after the storm, and stayed at different places each night. All of the hotels rooms were sold out and there is a major gas shortage here and we only had 1/4 tank of gas so we couldn't get very far. It was the most terrifying and stressful experience ever.

But compared to the destruction it's caused to other people I'm one of the lucky ones. At least I had a home to come back to. My family, on the other hand, has been completely devastated. I have so many family members who have lost their homes and all of their belongings. They have taken a major hit and I don't know how long it will take them to recover. My father, my aunt, cousins who all have small babies and sister have all suffered tremendous loss. It's really incomprehensible and I can't really wrap my brain around it all. So many people are still struggling and the temperatures have dropped and we also have another major storm heading our way this Wednesday through Thursday. I pray it doesn't bring more damage but I can't imagine that it won't given the current disaster.

Thank you again to all who have reached out to check in. It really means so much to me. I apologize for not getting back immediately. Communication was very difficult but it means the world to me. Times like these really teach you a lesson. To never take anything for granted and to treasure everything you have in your life.

Hope you are all doing well and I look forward to getting back into the swing of things but it might take a while to get back to normal. My family is my first priority and connectivity is still iffy here so it's been a little tough.

Really pleased all of you are ok...sad that family members have lost much, but grateful they are still with you. It does teach us so well, that things are to be used and people are to be treasured with these kinds of weather dramas. I couldn't bare the thought of having a loved one go in something like this. I send all of you my love and best wishes and I pray all of you will get recovered from this storm and be safe!! Love xoxo

I am sorry to hear this, Dawn, I remember me running from Rita hurricane, as I was in the US that summer and living in Louisiana. But, I had a home to come back, in Romania, how you said, I am very sorry to hear about your family that does not...

Oh Dawn, I am relieved to hear that you are safe, but my heart goes out to your family. I am sending good thoughts your way for things to get better soon. You are right, we must never take anything for granted. xo

I'm so glad to hear that you and J are okay Dawn. It's been a tough haul and a real reminder to never take anything for granted. I'm so sorry to hear about the devastation suffered by your family. I hope they hang in there and get help to recover somehow. We toughed it out downtown and even with power/water, we still don't have heat/hot water. Even so I know how fortunate I am.

Take care my dear and all my best to your family.Rowena @ rolala loves

I am so glad you & your home are okay. We left Hoboken last Wednesday & we have yet to return. Like you, we are just grateful we can return home at some point. My heart & thoughts are with your family & others affected by Sandy. Stay strong!

I'm glad to hear you and your family are okay, but I can't imagine how devastating it must have been for you all. I hope everything will get better soon, take care and I wish you and your family all the best!!

Dear Dawn, I am so glad to hear you are alright. The most important thing is that you and your loved ones are safe. I can only imagine how it must feel to lose your home and belongings, so I'm wishing you all to be strong and hang in there. I am sure they will find the strength to recover somehow. Wishing you the best!Hugs,Ada

My sympathies, Dawn. We were hit very hard in Rockaway Beach, NY where I live. We still have our apt but have been without power, water, heat, car is totaled. In short, the entire neighborhood was devastated. I am having a hard time accepting this and to be honest my emotions have been very raw to say the least. I am trying to be grateful for the small things but the losses faced by everyone here and throughout the tri-state region has been overwhelming.

I have family in Breezy Point that lost their home from the fire that raged through there. And another friend in Howard Beach who lost their home, with all their belongings including their pets.

I truly hope you and your family recover and indeed I hope the whole region recovers sooner rather than later. Again, my sympathies for you and yours.

Absolutely hate reading this. So awful to hear about how your loved ones have been affected, as so many have. At the end of the day, I hate myself a little for saying this because it's so cliche, but really- at the end of the day, and in situations like these, you really realize your priorities. People are all that matters. All the rest is just stuff, which can be replaced. I know it isn't that simple, but it reminds you where to place the importance. That your family is safe and unharmed is the greatest blessing. Sending support waves to all of you.

Dawn, we have been watching Sandy from the other side of the world & I knew you must have been hit hard because I checked in daily but no posts from you. What a terrible ordeal to go through & I'm so sorry for your family's loss. You are right we take so much for granted without appreciating the most basic things in life. I hope you & your family slowly but surely get your live's back on track. xMelissah

OMG! I can't begin to imagine how terrifying it must have been.Watching it from the UK it's like watching any other news programme, BUT hearing from people who have been affected really hits home.Sending you love from across the Atlantic xx

I am so so sorry for you and your family and all other East coasters.My deep heartfelt sorry and I will be sending you my prayers for comfort to those who have all gone through a loss and for the strength and power to quickly rise again.Stay safe and strong dear.You should not be worry about getting back and I believe we all totally feel you and understand.Prayers from Greece.

I can't even believe the devastation that has gone on, I'm so sorry to hear about your family. Few things are as devastating as something like this, prayers heading your way. So glad to hear that everyone is safe and sound.

Dawn.. this is just tragic. You {both} most be exhausted. It's going to be a long recovery. We've been through something similar and the experience will always linger in your heart. It's tough .. but you are resilient. Hang in there.

oh my goodness dawn, this is so sad and i'm so sorry for your family who have lost their homes and belongings. my thoughts are with you and i hope you are able to return to some sort of normality as soon as possible xx

I'm so saddened to hear that you've been affected by the storm, and sadder to hear about your family being displaced and having to figure everything out with little ones to care for. I have three children under three and can't fathom to think about the impact such a terrible loss would have on our family.

I am a true Jersey Girl, now living in Florida, so storms are nothing new to me, but I am still shocked at how much pain and grief this recent storm has caused many of my own dear friends and family in the area. You are in my thoughts and prayers, Dawn, and if there's anything we can do for you, please don't be shy to share links and ask for help right here on your blog.

What's lovely about this awesome community of bloggers is that we can be here for each other when it is needed the most. Much love and warmth to you and your family. May you be spared from more pain and loss as the East Coast braces for the next storm.

Dawn, I am so sorry to hear about your family members. That is horrible! My prayers are with you and your family members. I'm glad you are ok and I hope things settle down soon. http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Oh, Dawn, my heart goes out to you and your family. Such a traumatic time for all of you. Just wanted to say that I'm thinking of you and hoping you are able to get back to your home soon. Sending hugs and so wishing they alone could make it all better! ~xoSandy

I'm thrilled you're fine, but soooo sorry for your displacement. I hope things will get back to normalcy for you and your family soon. This has been such a tragic time. Thinking of you and sending lots of hugs your way. XX

Hello Dawn dear, I 'm so sorry to hear abouut this, but happy that you all are okay. Family is definitely priority, thanks for letting us know that you are okay. Prayers are with you and your family. -xx /Madison

So sad to read your news, about you and your family.It must have been so awful for you all.do hope that life will be back to normal again, there for you all.My thoughts and prayers continue for you all.

I cannot express how sorry I am for your family. I had a lot of damage once from two storms but was able to get things going pretty quickly. I still remember that feeling when you see your house flooded and upside down.

Thinking of you during this awful time Dawn. It makes you realise how precious life really is, doesn't it? I'm so glad that your family are ok, but it must have been so devastating for them to lose everything. Sending my love + prayers xx

Dawn,This has been a crazy, frustrating, tiring, emotional 2 weeks. Our home survived but we were without power for nearly 2 weeks and were playing the "go out and hunt down gas" game every night, as we were trying to keep a small generator running. We spent 2 nights with friends but my boys just wanted to sleep in their beds. So, even through the cold, we just hunkered down.

I am so very sorry to hear that your family was affected in such a devastating way. Please know that I am sending you a big, warm hug and prayers.

Dawn - i'm finally on-line - i know ALL the pain and devastation ur going through - Joe's my lost her entire home too - GONE - he almost lost his life saving his family from the raging waters - it's a war zone - both my houses got some major damage but the worst of it all is that Joe's nephews lost 2 friends in the storm - NOTHING compares to that - i am just grateful to be alive as well as my friends and family - home will be rebuilt - it's the toughest thing out there and so hard to tell people that - but it can and will - the stories on my end are endless as i'm sure are yours - i wish you strength as you go through this as the days, months, and years to come!!!!

Dawn, I teared up reading this. What a horrible horrible thing. I had no idea how much you and your family were affected. I'm so sorry, but I am glad that you are safe! Sending big hugs and prayers of comfort and warmth to you and your family.

Oh, Dawn! My heart is breaking for you and your family right now. :( I pray that you will find comfort and joy in this terrible time. Thank God you are safe!! My deepest prayers and best wishes go out to you and your family today. We'll be here for you if you ever need anything!xoxo

Hi sweetheart, I'm back in blogland after being gone for a few months and I'm so glad you've let us in on what it's been like. I can't even imagine. My heart goes out to you and am sending prayers for restoration from here on out. xx -Taj

Dawn-I hope things are getting better. Clearly you are not posting so I am sure things are still a bit hectic. Thinking about you and hoping you had a wonderful holiday season with your family. Happy New Year. xx, Naina

Hi Dawn ... just thinking about you and hoping that everything is going okay ... so sorry your area was hit so hard with the hurricane. What is your status now regarding living arrangements? Sending hugs! xo ~S

I am so sorry to hear that you guys were hit hard by the hurricane. I am glad to hear that you and your family are okay. You really were so lucky to have a home to go back to. I hope everything else falls into place for you.